In all three cases social services failed to protect them and today senior officials have issued apologies to all the children involved.

But despite the failings, it is understood no disciplinary action was taken against council staff, many of whom have retired or moved on to jobs in other parts of the country.

Last night Councillor Mark Chaloner, appointed Cabinet member for children’s safeguarding in December, was unable to confirm the lack of official action.

It comes after the service was labelled “inadequate” in 2011 after errors led to the deaths of four boys, including Jayden and Bradley Adams, aged two and four respectively, who are the subjects of one of today’s reports.

Inquests into the deaths of the Adams brothers and seven-year-old Blake Fowler also saw the service come under fierce criticism by the coroner.

Today the Daily Echo can reveal Shelly Adams, once arrested on suspicion of smothering sons Bradley and Jayden, will not face any criminal charges as the serious case review into their deaths could only be published once any case against her was dropped.

Cllr Chaloner said: “There has been a thorough investigation and the CPS have decided they do not believe there is enough evidence to prosecute. There is no new evidence that has come out in this review that can change that.” He added we will “never know” what led to their deaths.

In 2011 Labour criticised the Tory administration for relying too heavily on agency staff to flesh out social services jobs.

But the reports released today confirm these failings continued after Labour won back control in 2012, with two cases occurring in late 2012 and early 2013.

And the incidents were so serious that parents in both cases have been jailed – although the reports fail to reveal what they were convicted for and the sentences they received.

Alison Elliott, city council director of people, issued an apology on behalf of the council to all affected by the failings.

She said: “I would like to apologise for the failings of the city council at the time of the deaths of Bradley and Jayden Adams in 2011, and also in relation to the harm suffered by Child L and the children of Family A.

“We were failing to safeguard children and urgent action was needed to radically transform the service. This work started over a year ago and has been the council’s top priority.”

Changes have been made to the make-up of the service, with the number of agency staff drastically reduced.

Previously 50 per cent of the 150 child social worker jobs were carried out by temporary workers, but that figure is now just ten per cent.

Meanwhile as reported by the Daily Echo, a multi-agency safeguarding hub was launched in March to ensure daily meetings on child protection between the council, health bodies and the police.

The serious case reviews were undertaken by Southampton Safeguarding Children Board and were severely critical.

Keith Makin, board chairman, said: “I would like to say how sorry we are to those who did not get the help they needed and for the suffering of these children.

“The overall findings of these serious case reviews showed significant failings. There are important lessons for Southampton City Council and our other local agencies to learn.”

He added: “The professionals involved with these families failed to communicate adequately with each other and did not follow correct procedures and practice to safeguard children. This level of failure is unacceptable.”

But these are not the only children failed by the service, as the council confirmed that two more serious case reviews are to come, including one into the death of seven-year-old Blake Fowler, which is likely to be published in the autumn.

Comments (19)

Social services do one hell of a job, it's a thankless task and we sit on the sidelines and slag them off. It takes a unique individual to do the work they do and the horrors they see or here about on a day today basis most people could never deal with. The services are being cut to the bone is it's no wonder errors occur. Now having said that some bad apples exist within every organisation and for that there is no excuse. Having had a social worker myself as a youngster she saved my life without a doubt and I will eternally grateful to her.

Social services do one hell of a job, it's a thankless task and we sit on the sidelines and slag them off. It takes a unique individual to do the work they do and the horrors they see or here about on a day today basis most people could never deal with. The services are being cut to the bone is it's no wonder errors occur. Now having said that some bad apples exist within every organisation and for that there is no excuse. Having had a social worker myself as a youngster she saved my life without a doubt and I will eternally grateful to her.999medic

If they spent less time destroying family's life's and taking away children that are not in need maybe they would be able to save these children!
I have told the social about child abuse I know to be going on and the children are still with there abusive mother and uncle!
The southampton social are to blame for the life's of these children and the individuals involved in the cases who have all disappeared and moved on that's because they are knowing these children are in danger!
The social services to not listen to young voices about abuse within the family let alone if your suffering abuse outside the family!
In my opinion social services are part of the abusing process!!!!

If they spent less time destroying family's life's and taking away children that are not in need maybe they would be able to save these children!
I have told the social about child abuse I know to be going on and the children are still with there abusive mother and uncle!
The southampton social are to blame for the life's of these children and the individuals involved in the cases who have all disappeared and moved on that's because they are knowing these children are in danger!
The social services to not listen to young voices about abuse within the family let alone if your suffering abuse outside the family!
In my opinion social services are part of the abusing process!!!!Laurenjasmine14

Or will they trot out that well-used phrase "Lessons have been learnt"?

It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.

Has anyone been sacked?
Or will they trot out that well-used phrase "Lessons have been learnt"?
It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.ecuk268

They should be sacked and jailed, along with the damned parents, this is bloody disgraceful; someone knows what was going on, but never said a word, there are good workers in the system, but so many that do not do their job properly, these dear little souls have died, and you say sorry to a dead child, a bit late now don't you think, I hope someone beats the father to death, should be like the old days and done in public

They should be sacked and jailed, along with the damned parents, this is bloody disgraceful; someone knows what was going on, but never said a word, there are good workers in the system, but so many that do not do their job properly, these dear little souls have died, and you say sorry to a dead child, a bit late now don't you think, I hope someone beats the father to death, should be like the old days and done in publicwillcsaintenay

People make these judgements based on hear say that social services just come in a take children to wreck families, wrong!!!
Social services received reports or referrals an based on the level have 72 hrs to investigate
Most reports/referrals are dismissed an only serious one are referred on to multi angencies for further investigation
It then takes months or sometimes years for them to work alongside parents an children
And in very many cases it's the parents that fail again an again and again
Social services are there to do a job a very difficult an painful one at times, and if parents done the job they were suppose to do when they have children then there would be no need for social services.
At the end of all cases it is the courts decision to remove children not social services, they are there to provide the evidence.

People make these judgements based on hear say that social services just come in a take children to wreck families, wrong!!!
Social services received reports or referrals an based on the level have 72 hrs to investigate
Most reports/referrals are dismissed an only serious one are referred on to multi angencies for further investigation
It then takes months or sometimes years for them to work alongside parents an children
And in very many cases it's the parents that fail again an again and again
Social services are there to do a job a very difficult an painful one at times, and if parents done the job they were suppose to do when they have children then there would be no need for social services.
At the end of all cases it is the courts decision to remove children not social services, they are there to provide the evidence.Dee38.

Or will they trot out that well-used phrase &quot;Lessons have been learnt"?

It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.

If you had bothered to read the article properly you would have noticed that most of the agency social workers have now been replaced with full time dedicated professionals and most of the senior managers had retired or left the council so it would be impossible for them to be sacked. I've no doubt that anyone found responsible would have been disciplined / dismissed but it would not have been spread across the pages of the Echo.

[quote][p][bold]ecuk268[/bold] wrote:
Has anyone been sacked?
Or will they trot out that well-used phrase "Lessons have been learnt"?
It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.[/p][/quote]If you had bothered to read the article properly you would have noticed that most of the agency social workers have now been replaced with full time dedicated professionals and most of the senior managers had retired or left the council so it would be impossible for them to be sacked. I've no doubt that anyone found responsible would have been disciplined / dismissed but it would not have been spread across the pages of the Echo.Portland Saint

Or will they trot out that well-used phrase &quot;Lessons have been learnt"?

It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.

If you had bothered to read the article properly you would have noticed that most of the agency social workers have now been replaced with full time dedicated professionals and most of the senior managers had retired or left the council so it would be impossible for them to be sacked. I've no doubt that anyone found responsible would have been disciplined / dismissed but it would not have been spread across the pages of the Echo.

I am afraid it's not down to the agency workers but the non-agency team managers and service managers; most of the good managers have moved away from Southampton but some of the senior managers still remain and there must be doubt about the ability to change. The service is currently being inspected so a judgement will soon be reached about progress, or lack of.

[quote][p][bold]Portland Saint[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ecuk268[/bold] wrote:
Has anyone been sacked?
Or will they trot out that well-used phrase "Lessons have been learnt"?
It seems that you can get away with any level of incompetence if you work for a local authority whereas, if you were employed by a private company, you'd be shown the door.[/p][/quote]If you had bothered to read the article properly you would have noticed that most of the agency social workers have now been replaced with full time dedicated professionals and most of the senior managers had retired or left the council so it would be impossible for them to be sacked. I've no doubt that anyone found responsible would have been disciplined / dismissed but it would not have been spread across the pages of the Echo.[/p][/quote]I am afraid it's not down to the agency workers but the non-agency team managers and service managers; most of the good managers have moved away from Southampton but some of the senior managers still remain and there must be doubt about the ability to change. The service is currently being inspected so a judgement will soon be reached about progress, or lack of.nedscrumpo

When the story about the two boys was in this paper Labour party members & supporters ripped into the Tories but as this article now states this has continued under Labour so why not take the politics out of this tragic situation & find out what's going wrong with Social services in this city?
Is it top heavy & maybe getting rid of a manager or two could release funds to hire more ground workers?
Or is it a case of the ground workers passing on the information but the management/superviso
rs not acting on it?
Who ever is in Charge of this department or even a cross party group of councillors should put forward plans to stop this happening again.

When the story about the two boys was in this paper Labour party members & supporters ripped into the Tories but as this article now states this has continued under Labour so why not take the politics out of this tragic situation & find out what's going wrong with Social services in this city?
Is it top heavy & maybe getting rid of a manager or two could release funds to hire more ground workers?
Or is it a case of the ground workers passing on the information but the management/superviso
rs not acting on it?
Who ever is in Charge of this department or even a cross party group of councillors should put forward plans to stop this happening again.loosehead

Your paper has quite rightly followed the very sad circumstances surrounding the deaths of young children which has led to several Serious Case Reviews.

Whilst there is a tendency for a witch hunt to surround these matters I would, as a lay member of the Local Southampton Child Protection Board, point out that the efforts and dedication of the staff of the various social services is commendable. Much of the failures stem from being Inadequately staffed and funded, and redundancies of qualified staff who are replaced by interim and agency staff. These often lack the qualifications and experience needed.

One of the roles of a Child Protection Board is to monitor and check on the operating efficiencies of children services. Over the past few years it has obviously failed in the task. Whilst this may not have directly contributed to the tragic events it does raise serious questions about its future role and purpose, issues which undoubtedly be probed in great depth by the present OFSTED inspection.

Southampton City Council has been more proactive and have and continue to alter many systems and change personnel so as to afford better protection to vulnerable children in future.

The forthcoming publication of the Serious Case Reviews, long and inexcusably overdue, may bring closure but little satisfaction to the families, friends and neighbours affected.

These reviews are independently written so what does cause some concern has been a decision to appoint a press officer.

Duties amongst others are:

To give media training to the new chairman of LSCB (which raise the question as to why an appointment was made of someone lacking these skills?)
Prepare media handling programmes and key messages
Prepare press releases
Attend court inquests
Manage media attending courts

The cost will probably be in the region of £20,000.

At the end of the day such spin doctoring will add little credence to the work of the SLCB.

SCC will have to find most of this money, despite having cut back their own press department due to monetary restraints.

Many may well ask if such money would not be better used putting any monies towards employing another front line person in children's services.

Dear Editor,
Your paper has quite rightly followed the very sad circumstances surrounding the deaths of young children which has led to several Serious Case Reviews.
Whilst there is a tendency for a witch hunt to surround these matters I would, as a lay member of the Local Southampton Child Protection Board, point out that the efforts and dedication of the staff of the various social services is commendable. Much of the failures stem from being Inadequately staffed and funded, and redundancies of qualified staff who are replaced by interim and agency staff. These often lack the qualifications and experience needed.
One of the roles of a Child Protection Board is to monitor and check on the operating efficiencies of children services. Over the past few years it has obviously failed in the task. Whilst this may not have directly contributed to the tragic events it does raise serious questions about its future role and purpose, issues which undoubtedly be probed in great depth by the present OFSTED inspection.
Southampton City Council has been more proactive and have and continue to alter many systems and change personnel so as to afford better protection to vulnerable children in future.
The forthcoming publication of the Serious Case Reviews, long and inexcusably overdue, may bring closure but little satisfaction to the families, friends and neighbours affected.
These reviews are independently written so what does cause some concern has been a decision to appoint a press officer.
Duties amongst others are:
To give media training to the new chairman of LSCB (which raise the question as to why an appointment was made of someone lacking these skills?)
Prepare media handling programmes and key messages
Prepare press releases
Attend court inquests
Manage media attending courts
The cost will probably be in the region of £20,000.
At the end of the day such spin doctoring will add little credence to the work of the SLCB.
SCC will have to find most of this money, despite having cut back their own press department due to monetary restraints.
Many may well ask if such money would not be better used putting any monies towards employing another front line person in children's services.Calcliffe

At the end of the day lives precious little lives who had no choices have been lost. They had no choices .We do have Name and shame make them accountable they do play with decisions and lives not always the correct ones at times but they wouldn't have a job if they made the correct choice. Doesn't matter if they have moved on they have gone somewhere else to play a part again. Money doesn't come into this where is the justice for these children .Stop them playing god with peoples lives innocent ones most of the time. Come on Daily Echo fight the cause for these children Social services didn't .Managers will slope shoulders already the excuses have started .Come face the media managers you have weekly supervision with these social workers .

At the end of the day lives precious little lives who had no choices have been lost. They had no choices .We do have Name and shame make them accountable they do play with decisions and lives not always the correct ones at times but they wouldn't have a job if they made the correct choice. Doesn't matter if they have moved on they have gone somewhere else to play a part again. Money doesn't come into this where is the justice for these children .Stop them playing god with peoples lives innocent ones most of the time. Come on Daily Echo fight the cause for these children Social services didn't .Managers will slope shoulders already the excuses have started .Come face the media managers you have weekly supervision with these social workers .car driver

Reading stuff like this makes me so angry, wtf is wrong with people? Social services are supposed to be there to protect these poor children not put them in danger, as for those socalled parents, they should be hanged or burned or something,,,, anything to make them suffer....

Reading stuff like this makes me so angry, wtf is wrong with people? Social services are supposed to be there to protect these poor children not put them in danger, as for those socalled parents, they should be hanged or burned or something,,,, anything to make them suffer....KellyLouise1992

I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker & bamboo cane marks & cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services,
They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food & goodies from somewhere & promised the family more to come they all lied & the worker went away I got hammered by my mum & she got the others to lay into me as well.
I prayed they would come back & put me in a home & I was between 12 & 15 years of age & I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down?
Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?

I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker & bamboo cane marks & cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services,
They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food & goodies from somewhere & promised the family more to come they all lied & the worker went away I got hammered by my mum & she got the others to lay into me as well.
I prayed they would come back & put me in a home & I was between 12 & 15 years of age & I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down?
Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?loosehead

loosehead wrote:
I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker &amp; bamboo cane marks &amp; cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services, They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food &amp; goodies from somewhere &amp; promised the family more to come they all lied &amp; the worker went away I got hammered by my mum &amp; she got the others to lay into me as well. I prayed they would come back &amp; put me in a home &amp; I was between 12 &amp; 15 years of age &amp; I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down? Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?

well spoken.I really dont know how these people can sleep at night knowing about the pain and misery they have seen and not doing a thing about it.what a bad world we live in.

[quote][p][bold]loosehead[/bold] wrote:
I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker & bamboo cane marks & cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services, They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food & goodies from somewhere & promised the family more to come they all lied & the worker went away I got hammered by my mum & she got the others to lay into me as well. I prayed they would come back & put me in a home & I was between 12 & 15 years of age & I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down? Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?[/p][/quote]well spoken.I really dont know how these people can sleep at night knowing about the pain and misery they have seen and not doing a thing about it.what a bad world we live in.richard57

loosehead wrote:
I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker &amp; bamboo cane marks &amp; cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services, They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food &amp; goodies from somewhere &amp; promised the family more to come they all lied &amp; the worker went away I got hammered by my mum &amp; she got the others to lay into me as well. I prayed they would come back &amp; put me in a home &amp; I was between 12 &amp; 15 years of age &amp; I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down? Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?

well spoken.I really dont know how these people can sleep at night knowing about the pain and misery they have seen and not doing a thing about it.what a bad world we live in.

Perhaps someone can answer why when a headteacher is newly appointed the comments page is opened and the comments reach over 60 replies yet when justice is denied these children and yet again social services hide yes hide behind their employers nothing reaches twenty comments ,An article is written again the following day and no comments have been allowed come on daily echo support these innocent children NAME and Shame the managers the social workers give these children a fair memory.

[quote][p][bold]richard57[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]loosehead[/bold] wrote:
I've just commented on a subject I've personal experience of when I was at school going in with belt,poker & bamboo cane marks & cuts all over me the teacher called in Social Services, They contacted my mother then talked to me then took me home where my mum had got food & goodies from somewhere & promised the family more to come they all lied & the worker went away I got hammered by my mum & she got the others to lay into me as well. I prayed they would come back & put me in a home & I was between 12 & 15 years of age & I'm now 57 so I know just how long this has been happening in this city yet some idiots give me thumbs down? Well I tal;k from experience what experience do these people have?[/p][/quote]well spoken.I really dont know how these people can sleep at night knowing about the pain and misery they have seen and not doing a thing about it.what a bad world we live in.[/p][/quote]Perhaps someone can answer why when a headteacher is newly appointed the comments page is opened and the comments reach over 60 replies yet when justice is denied these children and yet again social services hide yes hide behind their employers nothing reaches twenty comments ,An article is written again the following day and no comments have been allowed come on daily echo support these innocent children NAME and Shame the managers the social workers give these children a fair memory.car driver

LESLEY ELLIOTT HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON PROMOTED TO TEAM MANAGER AFTER DOING HER REPORT

WAYNE HAYNES HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON MOVED TO HAVANT OFFICE AFTER DING HIS REPORT AND LYING IN COURT

KEVIN COFFIN HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON REFUSES TO RETURN CALLS

ALL 3 OF THESE BEINGS HAVE PUT MY CHILDREN WITH A VERY AGRESSIVE FATHER

ALL 3

LESLEY ELLIOTT HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON PROMOTED TO TEAM MANAGER AFTER DOING HER REPORT
WAYNE HAYNES HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON MOVED TO HAVANT OFFICE AFTER DING HIS REPORT AND LYING IN COURT
KEVIN COFFIN HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON REFUSES TO RETURN CALLS
ALL 3 OF THESE BEINGS HAVE PUT MY CHILDREN WITH A VERY AGRESSIVE FATHER
ALL 3taratoo

WAYNE HAYNES HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON MOVED TO HAVANT OFFICE AFTER DING HIS REPORT AND LYING IN COURT

KEVIN COFFIN HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON REFUSES TO RETURN CALLS

ALL 3 OF THESE BEINGS HAVE PUT MY CHILDREN WITH A VERY AGRESSIVE FATHER

ALL 3

Still no comments allowed on the page after this was first published well done you for naming and shaming who was the manager and head of the department

[quote][p][bold]taratoo[/bold] wrote:
LESLEY ELLIOTT HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON PROMOTED TO TEAM MANAGER AFTER DOING HER REPORT
WAYNE HAYNES HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON MOVED TO HAVANT OFFICE AFTER DING HIS REPORT AND LYING IN COURT
KEVIN COFFIN HYTHE SOUTHAMPTON REFUSES TO RETURN CALLS
ALL 3 OF THESE BEINGS HAVE PUT MY CHILDREN WITH A VERY AGRESSIVE FATHER
ALL 3[/p][/quote]Still no comments allowed on the page after this was first published well done you for naming and shaming who was the manager and head of the departmentcar driver

Laurenjasmine14 wrote:
If they spent less time destroying family's life's and taking away children that are not in need maybe they would be able to save these children!
I have told the social about child abuse I know to be going on and the children are still with there abusive mother and uncle!
The southampton social are to blame for the life's of these children and the individuals involved in the cases who have all disappeared and moved on that's because they are knowing these children are in danger!
The social services to not listen to young voices about abuse within the family let alone if your suffering abuse outside the family!
In my opinion social services are part of the abusing process!!!!

this is the issue with my situation!!!

[quote][p][bold]Laurenjasmine14[/bold] wrote:
If they spent less time destroying family's life's and taking away children that are not in need maybe they would be able to save these children!
I have told the social about child abuse I know to be going on and the children are still with there abusive mother and uncle!
The southampton social are to blame for the life's of these children and the individuals involved in the cases who have all disappeared and moved on that's because they are knowing these children are in danger!
The social services to not listen to young voices about abuse within the family let alone if your suffering abuse outside the family!
In my opinion social services are part of the abusing process!!!![/p][/quote]this is the issue with my situation!!!taratoo

Its no good sending a complaint in they always give it to the person you are complaining about and then ask them to reply to the complaint .we have evidence of this from the ombudsman. They hide and blame others .Name and shame on the front page of the echo .Another Sharon shoesmith comes to mind .

Its no good sending a complaint in they always give it to the person you are complaining about and then ask them to reply to the complaint .we have evidence of this from the ombudsman. They hide and blame others .Name and shame on the front page of the echo .Another Sharon shoesmith comes to mind .car driver